Even normally confident dogs can develop separation anxiety if they experience an excess of stress in their lives

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

When I left my dog Harper with a pet sitter recently while I was at a conference, I didn’t have too many concerns. Harper is a cavalier King Charles spaniel, a breed that’s known for being friendly and outgoing. A cavalier’s motto is usually “Love the one you’re with.”

But when I called later in the day to find out how things were going, I received the surprising and unwelcome news that Harper was barking nonstop when she was left alone. She was fine if the pet sitter was there, but even pet sitters have to leave the house sometimes, and Harper was not pleased about being crated in her absence.

Dogs who break housetraining, chew destructively -- especially at doors and windows -- or bark or howl in distress when left alone aren’t necessarily being bad, according to the upcoming book “From Fearful to Fear Free” (scheduled for publication in April 2018). They may be suffering from separation anxiety.

“Besides being noisy or destructive, dogs with separation anxiety may drool excessively, pace, lick themselves incessantly, or refuse to eat or drink,” write co-authors Dr. Marty Becker, Dr. Lisa Radosta, Dr. Wailani Sung and Mikkel Becker.

I never thought of Harper as having separation anxiety, but then I remembered last year’s visit to my parents’ house. I left for a few hours to go visit a friend, thinking Harper would be fine since she was familiar with the house and my family. When I returned, it was to a report that Harper had started barking as soon as I left, had diarrhea and then parked herself on the stairs to stare at the front door.

My dogs learn from an early age how to be comfortable when left alone. We start by leaving them crated for short periods, gradually increasing the amount of time we’re gone. They always get a treat when we leave so that our departure is a positive experience, and returns are low-key to encourage the dog to remain calm.

Although she still looks and acts like a puppy, Harper’s 10th birthday was last month. Was her change in behavior due to advancing age, I wondered? Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Sung says that’s not necessarily the cause, noting that only a small percentage of the cases of separation anxiety she sees involve older animals. But separation anxiety can occur at any age and may be related to changes in the dog’s life.

“When the family or owner schedule gets disrupted, the animals have more difficulty adjusting, and sometimes they become gradually distressed over time,” she said in an email interview.

Harper has had a stressful year, no doubt about it. She made several flights (in the cabin), including overseas trips, underwent open-heart surgery and the ensuing recovery period, and experienced a change in our household when our 17-year-old dog Gemma died in September. Any one of those, let alone all of them, could have been enough to make her anxious in new situations.

For pets with mild cases of separation anxiety, Dr. Sung has some advice.

“Maintain the same schedule and routine,” she says. “Provide both physical and mental exercise through walks and food-dispensing puzzle toys.”

The times that Harper has expressed signs of separation anxiety are when she has been left at places other than her regular pet sitter and without the support of one of our other dogs. Her signs aren’t serious enough to require medication, especially since it’s unlikely that she’ll experience these particular situations again, but it can help dogs with more severe cases be able to relax enough so that behavior modification under the guidance of an experienced trainer or a veterinary behaviorist can have an effect.

Q&A

Giardia infection

common in dogs

Q: My dog doesn’t seem to keep any weight on and has been having occasional diarrhea for no apparent reason. I took in a fecal sample and it showed that he had been exposed to giardia. What can you tell me about this?

A: Giardia is a tricky parasite. The single-celled protozoan can infect most domestic and wild animals, as well as humans, although the canine form is not transmitted from dogs to humans. Infection with giardia has been reported in up to 39 percent of fecal samples from both pet dogs and cats and animals in shelters. It’s most common in puppies, but can also affect older dogs.

Animals become infected with giardia when they ingest water that has been contaminated with feces. The flagellate -- meaning whiplike -- protozoans then take up residence in the small intestine, attaching to mucosal surfaces and absorbing nutrients that come through. When they reproduce, cysts pass in the feces to contaminate the environment and further spread the infection. Transmission occurs by what we call the fecal-oral route -- ingestion of contaminated feces in water or other substances. Even a small amount is enough to give giardia a foothold in the body. High humidity helps ensure that the cysts survive in the environment, and overcrowding, whether in a shelter or kennel, aids transmission.

Many dogs with giardiasis show no signs, but others, like your dog, may lose weight or have chronic diarrhea. Vomiting can also be a sign. The parasite doesn’t always show up in stool samples, and veterinarians may need to do blood work to rule out conditions with similar signs such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or other cause of intestinal malabsorption.

Your veterinarian may prescribe a dewormer or antibiotic -- or a combination of the two -- followed by a recheck of a stool sample. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Reindeer flight

includes vet check

-- In case you were wondering, Santa’s reindeer get a complete veterinary exam before their big flight. Clearing them for their international journey is official North Pole veterinarian Mike Topper, whose day job is president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Topper examines the reindeer -- including Rudolph -- for signs of transmissible illnesses such as brucellosis, tuberculosis or chronic wasting disease before issuing a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. The preflight checkup occurs on Christmas Eve and is followed by an exam on Christmas morning to make sure the reindeer are still in tip-top shape after their long trip.

-- The characteristic markings of cats with tabby coats include an M shape that the stripes form on their forehead. A number of myths exist to explain how tabby cats came to acquire that distinguishing mark. One of those tales is a charming Christmas story about a friendly stable cat who jumped into the manger and began purring to soothe a crying baby Jesus. The grateful Mary laid her hand on the cat’s forehead in blessing, and tabby cats have borne her initial ever since in remembrance of their ancestor’s kind act.

-- It’s a given that dogs don’t live nearly long enough to suit their humans, but some breeds have a reputation for long lifespans. Of course, a good diet and veterinary care are contributing factors, but if a new puppy is in your future and you want to enjoy his company for a good, long time, consider one of the following breeds: Chihuahua, dachshund, Pomeranian, Lhasa apso, toy poodle, Shih Tzu, Australian cattle dog, Cardigan or Pembroke Welsh corgi and Portuguese podengo pequeno. They seem to have longevity baked into their genes. Even if you acquire one as an adult, you have a good chance of enjoying many years with him. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

With the right motivation, cats can learn to use scratching posts and other scratching items instead of furniture or carpets

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Last month, Denver became the first city outside of California to ban the declawing of cats. In September, the American Association of Feline Practitioners strengthened its position on the procedure, stating that it strongly opposes declawing.

Declawing (onychectomy) has been controversial for years, but the procedure, surgical amputation of the toe bone -- think having your fingers chopped off at the first knuckle -- is increasingly under fire. Potential complications include claw regrowth and bony remnants that cause pain or lameness.

Cats scratch. It’s not only a normal behavior for them, it’s an essential one. Just as you “mark your territory” with art, photographs or furniture of a certain style, cats lay claim to a place through scent and visual markers. Scratching performs both functions by leaving gouges -- the higher the better -- in the scratched item as well as depositing scent from glands in the cat’s paws. Both signals tell other cats that yours is a force to be reckoned with and help cats feel comfortable in their environment. Scratching keeps claws sharp and removes the dead outer layer of the claw. And we can infer from our own experience that stretching -- a big part of scratching action -- feels good.

“Scratching has a communication function, it has a grooming function, it has a comfort function,” says veterinary behaviorist Debbie Horwitz in St. Louis. “It isn’t really in the best welfare of cats to declaw them, to remove their digits, simply because it’s easier than us doing something else to stop a normal but unwanted behavior.”

It can be frustrating when a cat scratches an expensive carpet or piece of furniture, but a little feline psychology and feng shui go a long way toward solving the problem. Teaching a cat where to scratch involves not only choosing the right size and type of post but also placing it in an area that gives your cat the most bang for his communication buck.

Cats scratch in both vertical and horizontal positions. A vertical scratching post should be at least 3 feet high with a sturdy base so the cat can stretch out to full length as he lets loose with his claws. Ceiling-height posts encourage climbing as well, which is good exercise and allows cats to enjoy a high vantage point where they can feel safe and survey their surroundings. Horizontal posts don’t have to be long, but cats will appreciate sturdiness and texture.

Placement is important. Cats like to show off their scratching prowess. If you shove the post down in the basement or some other out-of-the-way area, no one can see his masterpiece. With the number of attractive and stylish cat trees available, there’s no reason not to have one front and center.

“I have one in my kitchen (that) is a big platform so he can look out the window,” Dr. Horwitz says. “I have one in my family room, which is where I spend time watching TV, and I have one in the dining room.”

Placing a post in areas where you spend time and next to items that your cat might otherwise scratch encourages its use and allows you to notice unwanted scratching and redirect your cat’s attention to the post. Run your fingers up it -- he’ll be attracted by the motion and sound. A product called Feliscratch uses pheromones and catnip to entice cats to use the post. Its blue coloring enhances the visual message of the scratch marks.

Teaching a cat scratching manners protects our belongings, but it has a deeper benefit, Dr. Horwitz says. Preserving the natural, instinctive behaviors of cats enhances their well-being.

“They have a lot of natural behaviors that are objectionable to us, but we should give them alternatives to do those normal behaviors in a way that they’re not objectionable to us or other people.”

Q&A

What to do when

dog eats glass

Q: My friend’s American Eskimo dog bit down on a glass Christmas ornament and swallowed some of the pieces. Should she have induced vomiting?

A: Dogs are equal-opportunity eaters. If it smells or even looks edible, they won’t hesitate to ingest it. I never cease to be amazed at the things dogs will put in their mouths and chomp down on. That includes glass ornaments and lightbulbs.

The real surprise is that biting down on a glass ornament is typically less dangerous for dogs than it might seem. Most often, dogs appear to realize they’ve made a mistake and don’t swallow the shards. They still run the risk of cutting their tongue or lip, of course, with the resultant bleeding. If it’s severe enough, the dog may need a trip to the veterinarian for treatment.

When dogs do swallow the pieces, your veterinarian may feel it’s safer to let the glass pass naturally instead of trying to bring it back up by inducing vomiting. I have heard of people who have induced vomiting in cases like this, but we usually don’t recommend it. The dog runs a greater risk of injury bringing back up sharp items such as glass or needles.

If you know that your dog has swallowed something dangerous such as glass, call your veterinarian immediately for advice. If your dog isn’t showing signs of choking -- gagging or pawing at the throat, for instance -- your veterinarian may suggest giving bread, pumpkin or mashed potatoes to help encase the glass as it passes through the intestinal tract. Any signs such as straining to defecate, lethargy, blood in the stool, lack of appetite or abdominal pain call for an immediate trip to the veterinarian. These signs may indicate a blockage or damage to the intestinal tract that requires surgical repair. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Research shows hope

for cats with FIP

-- Trials of two antiviral drugs show promise in treating feline infectious peritonitis, a fatal disease caused by a type of coronavirus. It is most common in large groups of cats, such as those in shelters and catteries, and is the leading infectious cause of death in young cats. In the abstract of one study published in May 2016 by the journal PLoS, researchers wrote: “We found that antiviral treatment led to full recovery of cats when treatment was started at a stage of disease that would otherwise be fatal if left untreated. Cats returned to normal health within 20 days or (fewer) of treatment.”

-- Does your town’s disaster plan include pets? It should, especially if you live in an area that’s prone to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or tornadoes. Most high-population areas have pet issues covered in the event of evacuation or other need for rescue, but locales with smaller populations often lack the training, expertise, equipment and shelter needed to rescue, manage and house pets and livestock when emergencies strike. To improve their communities’ emergency preparedness response, veterinary professionals and humane organizations can obtain the Community Animal Disaster Planning Toolkit from the Colorado State University Extension website at extension.colostate.edu.

-- Christmas trees, candles and other holiday accoutrements offer ample opportunity for pets to show their naughty side, leaving you to scramble to save the tree, the trimmings or the roast beast. To keep holidays safe, fun and happy for all involved, adapt your holiday decor to the realities of life with pets. Use pet-safe ornaments -- no tinsel or glass, please -- avoid poisonous plants such as lilies and mistletoe, and set plates of food out of reach of a counter-surfing dog or cat. The holidays will be easier and less stressful on all of you! -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Is it an emergency? Here’s what you should know when minutes count

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Our dogs and cats hate to let us know when they’re not feeling well. It’s instinctive for them to hide illness and even injuries if possible.

Some emergencies are obvious, though, and an emergency, by definition, requires immediate treatment. Any time your pet experiences one of the following conditions, you need to get him to the veterinarian on the double, whether it’s noon or nighttime, weekend or holiday.

-- Hit by car. Even if your pet appears to be OK, he could have serious internal injuries.

-- Falling out a high window. Cats have a reputation for surviving high falls, but that doesn’t mean they don’t sustain injuries.

-- Blood gushing from an artery or bleeding from the mouth, nose or rectum.

-- Loss of consciousness.

-- Difficulty breathing, which can indicate choking, poisoning or heart failure.

-- Sudden collapse or paralysis.

-- Bloody vomiting or diarrhea.

-- Broken bones, difficulty walking or reluctance to put weight on a limb.

-- Gums that are pale instead of a healthy pink.

-- Seizures, tremors or staggering, which can indicate poisoning or neurological problems.

-- Known ingestion of antifreeze, Easter lilies, rat poison, items containing xylitol or other toxic substances.

Some pets are more prone to certain types of emergencies than others. Cats, for instance, love to nibble on plants and can develop fatal kidney failure from eating any part of a lily, even small amounts of pollen.

In male cats, straining to urinate can signal an obstructed urinary tract. When that happens, toxins build up quickly and can kill the cat if the blockage isn’t relieved rapidly. Cats who strain to defecate should also be seen right away.

Dogs, especially males but sometimes females, can also develop urinary obstructions from bladder stones or prostate disease. Breeds at higher risk include Dalmatians, bulldogs and black Russian terriers.

An enlarged stomach accompanied by drooling, panting and retching without bringing anything up is a sign of gastric dilatation volvulus, commonly known as bloat and often seen in deep-chested dogs. Never “wait and see” if your dog shows these signs.

Dogs are notorious for eating anything they run across, which leaves them open to ingesting toxic foods and pharmaceuticals. Take your dog in if he eats grapes or raisins, fungi such as mushrooms or toadstools, dark chocolate, any food containing the sweetener xylitol, or drugs such as Tylenol, nasal spray or eye drops.

Another common pet emergency is severe vomiting and diarrhea accompanied by appetite loss. Those signs may be early indicators of life-threatening disease or gastrointestinal obstruction. Pets left untreated, especially cats or toy-breed dogs, can quickly become weak and dehydrated.

Pets with flat faces such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are prone to heatstroke. If these pets are restless, have a rapid pulse, have trouble breathing or are panting or drooling, it’s an emergency.

Cat and dog breeds such as Maine coons, ragdolls, Persians, American shorthairs and cavalier King Charles spaniels are at risk for congestive heart failure. Signs include unusual inactivity, tiring quickly, restlessness, panting, difficulty breathing, crackly breathing sounds and pale gums.

A pet who has trouble walking may have a spinal cord injury. Dogs or cats with long backs such as dachshunds or munchkins are susceptible to ruptured intervertebral disks.

If your pet experiences an emergency, the best thing you can do is to stay calm in the moment. Have your veterinarian’s phone number and that of the nearest emergency clinic on speed dial, and call to let them know you’re on the way and what the problem is.

Most important, know your pet’s normal behavior. Noticing changes early can help you catch problems before they turn into emergencies.

Q&A

Cat’s wake-up

call is unwanted

Q: Our 11-year-old male cat has some new behaviors. He used to sleep at the foot of our bed, but now he cuddles, purrs and sleeps with me. At about 4 a.m., he starts walking around the bed, meowing and nibbling on my fingers and chewing on my husband’s hair. If we shut him out of our room, he cries and paws at the door relentlessly. I don’t mind having him in the room until the nibbling and meowing start. Is the nibbling an alpha behavior?

A: It’s great that your cat is so affectionate, but I can certainly see how the early-morning attention could get old -- fast! The nibbling isn’t alpha behavior, because that’s not a concept that applies to cats (or to dogs, for that matter). Your cat does want your attention, whether it’s because he wants to eat breakfast -- now! -- or because to him it seems like a good time for some interaction.

The other possibility is that his behavior is changing because he is showing early signs of dementia.

As with any change in behavior, we recommend taking your cat in for a veterinary exam to rule out underlying health problems. Sometimes being obnoxious is the only way cats have to tell us that they’re not feeling well.

If your cat gets a clean bill of health, he may simply be ready for breakfast at that time of the morning. Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Your cat’s body clock may be telling him that it’s time to eat. To ensure uninterrupted sleep for yourself, try purchasing a feeder with a timer. You can set it to go off just before the time your cat normally wakes you. If you feed canned food, look for a feeder with an ice pack to keep food chilled. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Legal beagles frown

on frigid canines

-- Heavily furred pets can thrive in cold conditions, but in some states, it’s a misdemeanor or felony to leave animals outdoors for long periods in freezing weather. Most animals need protection from winter’s chill just as humans do. Pennsylvania is the most recent state to mandate protecting pets from freezing temperatures, joining Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Texas, as well as certain municipalities. Michigan requires outdoor dogs to have “adequate shelter” from the elements. Penalties range from fines to jail time.

-- A Brussels griffon named Newton was top dog at the 2017 National Dog Show in Oaks, Pennsylvania, which aired on NBC Thanksgiving Day. More formally known as GCH (for Grand Champion) Wynzall Hashtag, the toy-breed dog -- described as resembling a mini version of Chewbacca, the Wookiee character from "Star Wars" -- took the best in show title by beating out a whippet, a Portuguese water dog, an English springer spaniel, an old English sheepdog, an American Staffordshire terrier and a French bulldog. Brussels griffons were created in the 18th century from a blend of English toy spaniel, pug and affenpinscher. Cute, bossy and self-important, they are known for a sometimes-naughty nature, but their love for people usually gets them out of trouble.

-- How long have dogs been walking on leashes? Based on rock art discovered in Saudi Arabia, humans and dogs have been linked by leashes for at least 8,000 years, according to an online report in the journal Science. It may also be the earliest depiction of humans and dogs hunting together, not to mention the earliest depiction of dogs in general. With their pricked-up ears, smooth coats and curved tails, the dogs depicted resemble primitive, or pariah-type, dogs such as Canaan dogs, Carolina dogs or the village dogs found around the world. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "The Dr. Oz Show" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. They are affiliated with Vetstreet.com and are the authors of many best-selling pet-care books. Joining them is dog trainer and behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.